‘Jeff Probst’ Cancelled After One Season

The other shoe has dropped — following Twentieth Television’s decision last week not to renew the Ricki Lake Show, CBS TV Distribution today said that its struggling freshman syndicated talker The Jeff Probst Show will not be retuning for the 2013-2014 season. Original episodes will continue to air through the end of the season. “We believe Jeff is an incredible talent, and that he and his dedicated producing team delivered quality episodes throughout the season. Unfortunately, the audience isn’t there to support a second year. We are grateful to the entire staff, our affiliate partners and advertisers for their ongoing support of The Jeff Probst Show,” a CTD spokesperson said. Added Probst, “I’m super bummed but extremely proud. The truth is all shows come to an end. Ours just ended a decade sooner than we had hoped.” Probst continues of course as longtime host of CBS’ Survivor, which premieres its 26th installment tonight.

Like Ricki Lake, Jeff Probst never found an audience to support it as the two shows faced a glut of new talkers last fall. Jeff Probst already went through a round of layoffs in December when several staffers, including producers, were let go. The disappointing launch was at least partially responsible for the October shakeup at CBS TV Distribution, which saw president John Nogawski exit and Armando Nuñez get oversight of the division.

Jeff Probst joins Ricki Lake and sophomore syndicated talk show Anderson Cooper Live, which are ending their runs this season, as is Debmar-Mercury’s sophomore The Jeremy Kyle Show. Freshmen Katie, from ABC-Disney; Steve Harvey and Trisha Goddard, from NBCU; and Dish Nation have been renewed.